Thank you Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for your weekly commitment and passion. Thank you Roger Bultot for this week’s photo. I’m grateful for the time each of you takes to read my work. I’m moving slowly, but do my best to return that kindness. As always I welcome honest, constructive feedback.

Lori gathered her long auburn hair, securing it under her favorite hat. Prepared for final Passover celebrations, she glanced in the mirror, grabbed her prayer book, and left with her family for services.

“Shabbat Shalom; chag sameach!” she sang out to Rabbi Goldstein, as she entered the hall. Mutual respect for their faith forbade any physical contact, but twenty years of friendship sparkled between them.

A loud crack filled the synagogue. A second one sent searing pain down the Rabbi’s hand and arm.

“Lori, run! I’ll get the children!”

Lori lay in her beautiful Pesach dress, her eyes watching God.

(100 Words of grief)

Lori Kaye, age 60

** This week, my story shares a moment of the horror at Chabad of Poway in CA. Lori Gilbert Kaye was murdered by an anti-Semite, despite her husband’s efforts to save her. זכרונהלברכה May her memory forever be a blessing.

Rabbi Goldstein lost 3 fingers, and ushered a room full of children to safety–– including his four-year old granddaughter. Two Israelis, who came to the US to be free of violence, were injured, including a nine year old girl.

Each year in our Passover/Pesach Seder, we utter the words: “This year we celebrate here, next year in Israel,” for all Jews call Israel their home.

* * *

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About Dawn Quyle Landau

Mother, Writer, treasure hunter, aging red head, and sushi lover. This is my view on life, "Straight up, with a twist––" because life is too short to be subtle! Featured blogger for Huffington Post, and followed on Twitter by LeBron James– for reasons beyond my comprehension.

No doubt, Lain. What is very hard about this kind of tragedy, is knowing that these people were targeted for being one thing vs another… just like at Pulse night club. There are bigger terrorist attacks that are random, but when people are targeted because they are Black, Jewish, Gay, Muslim, any particular group… then the hate (in my mind) amplifies the tragedy. Thanks for taking the time; my response is another 100 words! 😉

Thanks Gabi. I read a lot about Lori, and the events of that day. I thought this was a church at first and had another story all set (2 submissions? Hmmm), but then saw the Jewish star, and this event was much on my mind. Thanks for your kind words!

Sensitively written tribute to a beautiful soul. A million tears for our world and loss of life at the hands of others who cannot tolerate, to the point of violence, those who are different. Will we ever be better? 😓

As the mother of Jewish children, as a woman who has lived a Jewish life for 35 years, it terrifies me too. That these terrorists are all right in our own back yard, at our movie theaters, grocery stores, churches, mosques and synagogues… it is just horrific, and tragic beyond words. Thanks for your feedback!

Well written, Dawn. A loving tribute to a woman who did nothing wrong but try to celebrate Passover. No amount of wishing can stop this senseless hate. So, I shall just keep in spreading love where I can. Right to you and yours! xo

Just a remark on the last statement in this price. Not all Jews call Israel home. Many, many Jews do not. Jerusalem comes from the root word “shalom” which not only means peace, but also “wholeness.” So at the end of the Seder, when we say “next year in Jerusalem,” many Jews believe we are not calling for a literal return to Jerusalem but to a place of wholeness. The myth of Tikuun olam, the repair of the world, is that in the beginning of time there were vessels formed to hold the divine light, but the vessels shattered. tikuun Olam is finding all the pieces of the broken vessels and putting them back together i.e working towards a place of wholeness. That does not in any way need to be a literal return to Israel, and does not necessitate any Jew considering Israel to be their home. Some of us believe there is more power in living stateless within the diaspora.

Thanks for adding this, Batya. I am aware of these things, but did not intend to draw too much focus away from the story. My intention was metaphorical, as I know that not all Jews call it their literal home (or metaphorical). Thanks for adding to the conversation!

A powerful remembrance and tribute, Dawn. I get CNN and BBC on cable here so keep up with the news. This was another horrific attack that shouldn’t have happened. The haters seem emboldened these days. Too many guns and too much hate. —- Suzanne

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Mother, Writer, treasure hunter, aging red head, and sushi lover. This is my view on life, "Straight up, with a twist––" because life is too short to be subtle! Featured blogger for Huffington Post, and followed on Twitter by LeBron James– for reasons beyond my comprehension.